Health & Safety
Construction
Jobsite Safety
General Construction
Excavations Safety Training
About this course
This course provides an introduction to excavation operations, beginning with pre-excavation planning and continuing through the controls used to manage changing jobsite conditions. Learners explore site assessment, underground utility location, equipment selection, soil and water conditions, excavation hazards, confined-space considerations, and the responsibilities of the competent person. The course also examines protective systems, atmospheric and electrical hazards, equipment-related risks, inspections, and procedures for responding when conditions become unsafe. Emphasis is placed on planning excavation work carefully, recognizing interacting hazards, and applying appropriate controls before and throughout excavation activities.
Learning Objectives
- Explain basic excavation terminology, operations, and pre-excavation planning requirements.
- Describe the role of the competent person in inspecting excavations and responding to changing conditions.
- Identify when excavation work should be stopped, corrected, reinspected, and authorized before work resumes.
- Identify factors that should be evaluated before excavation begins, including utilities, soil conditions, access, equipment, and surrounding hazards.
- Recognize common excavation hazards, including unstable soil, water, electrical hazards, equipment movement, and hazardous atmospheres.
- Explain how soil, water, vibration, nearby loads, and changing site conditions affect excavation safety.
This course is included in this bundle
Course outline
4 modules
3 hours to complete
1:20 hours
of video lectures
Module 1 • 7 assignments
Excavation Fundamentals & Pre-Excavation Planning
Module 1 • 7 assignments
Excavation Fundamentals & Pre-Excavation Planning
Learners will explore the basic excavation process, from surveying and planning the site to locating underground utilities, selecting equipment, and establishing safe access to the work area. The module also introduces important excavation roles and concepts, including the competent person, One-Call systems, tolerance zones, and spoil management.
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Module 2 • 2 assignments
Hazard Recognition and Confined Space Control
Module 2 • 2 assignments
Hazard Recognition and Confined Space Control
This module focuses on recognizing the hazards that can develop in and around excavations, including unstable soil, water, equipment movement, utilities, restricted access, and hazardous atmospheres. Learners will examine how multiple hazards can interact and how changing conditions can quickly increase the risk of cave-ins, electrical contact, exposure to gases, or other emergencies. The module also introduces confined-space controls such as atmospheric testing and monitoring, ventilation, PPE, lockout/tagout, and effective entrant-attendant communication.
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Module 3 • 4 assignments
Excavation Controls and Conditions
Module 3 • 4 assignments
Excavation Controls and Conditions
This module examines the controls used to keep excavation work safe as soil and jobsite conditions change. Learners will explore protective systems such as sloping, benching, shoring, and shielding, along with the soil, depth, water, vibration, nearby loads, and other factors that affect how those systems are selected and used. The module also covers warning signs such as cracking, slabbing, seepage, standing water, heaving, and movement that may indicate changing or unstable conditions.
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Conclusion • 3 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
Conclusion • 3 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials for 12 months (1 year), so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. After your year of access expires you can optionally extend access with a HeatSpring Membership. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!
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Author
We’re on a mission to transform the labor force into skilled and knowledgeable journeyworkers. Our initiatives are designed to not only satisfy the urgent need for skilled labor but also cultivate a thriving talent pool that fuels growth and sparks innovation in the solar industry.
Frequently asked questions
Full FAQHow does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This course is delivered entirely online. Pre-order courses are available on launch date. This course is self-paced and you can set your own schedule to complete the materials. You can begin the lecture videos and other course materials as soon as you enroll. After successfully completing the course, you will be able to generate a certificate of completion.
How long do I have access to the materials?
Students get unlimited access to the course materials as soon as they enroll and for one year (365 days) after enrollment. Rewatch videos and review assignments as many times as you want. View updates the instructor makes to the course as the industry advances. Return to your course anytime with online access from anywhere in the world. After the one year of access expires, access can be extended by joining as a HeatSpring member. A single membership extends access to course materials for all past enrollments.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Yes, when you complete this course you are eligible for a certificate of completion from HeatSpring. You can download your certificate as soon as you have completed all of the course requirements. Students can easily share their verified certificates on their LinkedIn profiles using our LinkedIn integration.
Can I register multiple people?
Yes, please visit our For Teams page to get a group discount.